The Unfinished Line

In this episode of Unfinished Line, Maksim interviews co-host and painter Russell Austin about his life and practice as a working artist.Russell reflects on the paintings closest to him, what makes art powerful, his creative process, inspiration versus discipline, overcoming creative blocks, and the realities of making a living from art. The conversation also explores the Australian gallery scene, artistic success, and why genuine connections and experiences can matter more than recognition or fame.A personal and candid conversation about creativity, persistence, ambition, and what it means to build a life around making art.Maksim Kuznetcov (Sculptor):Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://maksimkuznetcov.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/maksim_deep_art/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Maksim Kuznetcov (Botanical Reliefs):Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sculptedplants.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sculptedplants/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Russell Austin Painter's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/russtinpaint/⁠

In this episode of The Unfinished Line, Russell turns the questions on co-host and sculptor Maksim Kuznetcov, exploring the experiences and ideas that shaped his artistic practice.Maksim talks about his unusual journey from chemistry and the corporate world into sculpture, his fascination with human emotion and our connection with nature, and the ideas behind some of his most personal works. The conversation explores the physical and technical challenges of sculpture, the importance of symbolism, artistic freedom, and the tension between making meaningful art and making work that sells.They also discuss cultural attitudes towards nudity, what success means for an artist, the influence of living in Russia, London, Barcelona and Australia, and where Maksim hopes to take his work next.A personal conversation about creativity, transformation, meaning, and building a life around art.Maksim Kuznetcov (Sculptor):Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://maksimkuznetcov.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/maksim_deep_art/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Maksim Kuznetcov (Botanical Reliefs):Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sculptedplants.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sculptedplants/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Russell Austin Painter's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/russtinpaint/⁠

In this episode of The Unfinished Line, Maksim and Russell are joined by artist and life model Kat Dixon for a candid conversation about the human body, nudity and sensuality in art.Kat shares her experience on both sides of the easel—as a model and a painter—and discusses how life modelling has influenced her relationship with the body and her own creative practice. The conversation explores the line between sensuality and sexuality, changing attitudes toward the nude, and the social and political pressures artists face when depicting the human figure.We also talk about building an audience on social media, staying authentic as an artist, and Kat’s experience competing—and winning—in Art Battle Sydney, where artists have just 20 minutes to create a finished painting in front of a live audience.A wide-ranging conversation about art, bodies, creativity, social media, competition—and, naturally, tiramisu.You can find Kat online here https://www.instagram.com/kat_models/ and here: https://katmodels.square.site/The podcast is hosted by two artists from Australia - a sculptor - ⁠Maksim Kuznetcov⁠ and a Painter - ⁠Russell Austin⁠You can find more information about the hosts using the following resources:Maksim Kuznetcov (Sculptor):Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://maksimkuznetcov.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/maksim_deep_art/⁠⁠⁠⁠Maksim Kuznetcov (Botanical Reliefs):Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sculptedplants.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sculptedplants/⁠⁠⁠⁠Russell Austin Painter's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/russtinpaint/⁠

Artificial intelligence is transforming the creative world—but is it just another tool, or is it changing the way we think?In this episode of The Unfinished Line, we explore AI from the perspective of two working artists. We discuss whether AI-generated art can ever replace human creativity, how artists are beginning to use it in their practice, and why sculpture may be more resistant to automation than many other creative fields.The conversation then broadens into philosophy, medicine, politics, education, and the future of society. Does AI encourage critical thinking or simply reinforce our existing beliefs? Can it help us solve humanity's biggest problems, or does it risk making us intellectually dependent?A thoughtful, balanced discussion about technology, creativity, consciousness, and what it means to remain human in the age of artificial intelligence.The podcast is hosted by two artists from Australia - a sculptor - ⁠Maksim Kuznetcov⁠ and a Painter - ⁠Russell Austin⁠You can find more information about the hosts using the following resources:Maksim Kuznetcov (Sculptor):Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://maksimkuznetcov.com/⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/maksim_deep_art/⁠⁠⁠Maksim Kuznetcov (Botanical Reliefs):Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://sculptedplants.com/⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sculptedplants/⁠⁠⁠Russell Austin Painter's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/russtinpaint/⁠

In this episode of The Unfinished Line, we catch up on recent exhibitions, sculpture projects, and the realities of working as full-time artists. We discuss selling bronze sculptures, recovering from COVID, discovering the remarkable life of sculptor Malvina Hoffman, and the ethics of copying in art following a recent Australian painting controversy.The conversation then turns to artificial intelligence—its impact on creativity, medicine, education, and society. Is AI simply another artistic tool, or does it risk changing the way we think? Can machines ever truly understand, or only imitate? We explore consciousness, originality, and what it means to create something genuinely human.A thoughtful and often humorous conversation about art, philosophy, technology, and the creative life.The podcast is hosted by two artists from Australia - a sculptor - ⁠Maksim Kuznetcov⁠ and a Painter - ⁠Russell Austin⁠You can find more information about the hosts using the following resources:Maksim Kuznetcov (Sculptor):Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://maksimkuznetcov.com/⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/maksim_deep_art/⁠⁠⁠Maksim Kuznetcov (Botanical Reliefs):Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://sculptedplants.com/⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sculptedplants/⁠⁠⁠Russell Austin Painter's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/russtinpaint/⁠